Ron Paul: In Praise of Private Charity

One of the great fallacies of our time is that if government doesn’t do something, no one will. Its corollary is that if you are opposed to the government doing something, that you are opposed to anyone performing that function at all. These disastrous fallacies color much of our national debate concerning heath care, education, poverty, housing, and disaster relief, and other issues.

This Easter season, I would like to applaud an organization that proves just how much private charity can accomplish without government mandates or intrusion. Convoy of Hope, based in Springfield, Missouri is equal parts grocer, clothier, heath care provider, first responder, educator, and logistics expert. It works with communities across America and around the world, bringing together other local charities, businesses, churches, and government agencies to alleviate poverty and help people in the wake of disasters. The tremendous scope of its activities serves as a reminder that government is neither the sole, nor the best, provider of goods and services to people in need.

I recently had the privilege of touring Convoy of Hope’s headquarters and distribution center. It was a humbling but encouraging experience. Frankly, I’ve never seen an organization so focused, efficient, and poised to do so much good for so many people.

Convoy of Hope was founded by Hal and David Donaldson in 1994, who, as young boys suffered the death of their father and subsequent poverty. Both men were struck by the outpouring of support their family received during that time from local churches and the community. As a result, the two brothers developed a deep sense of responsibility to helping others in need. Convoy of Hope has since helped more than 50 million individuals in more than 100 countries– giving away nearly $300 million worth of food and supplies in the process.

They typically spend only about 10% of their budget on overhead while employing a small staff of approximately 85 people. Watchdog group Charity Navigator consistently gives Convoy of Hope high marks for both its financial acumen and transparency.

Convoy of Hope also stretches its resources by developing strategic partnerships with private sector corporations, including Coca Cola, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Georgia Pacific, Cargill, Del Monte, and FedEx. These corporate donors donate everything from building supplies to bottled water to toiletries. Its massive distribution center and headquarters are centrally located in Missouri, where its fleet of trucks can dispatch quickly to any location in America. It also operates six international distribution centers for logistical efficiency.

The next step for Convoy of Hope is an audacious one: a 50 state tour beginning in May designed to address poverty across the United States. The “Convoy of Hope Tour” will provide an average of $1 million in goods and services to a community in a single day. Convoy of Hope’s fleet of 18 wheel trucks will roll through every state, providing a wide variety of goods and practical services to those in need, including groceries, job counseling, clothing, dental care, breast cancer screenings, haircuts, family portraits, children’s activities, as well as prayer and connections with local churches.

Convoy of Hope is doing tremendous work on behalf of mankind. I wish everyone at Convoy of Hope great success with their upcoming tour. It’s hard to imagine a government agency operating as efficiently, as nimbly, or as cheerfully as Convoy of Hope. I truly believe it should serve as a model for private, voluntary, nongovernmental solutions to poverty and disaster relief in our communities.

8 posts with nothing but red herrings and tu quoques. (“RP a racist? Well, well, look at Santorum, that guy is a racist!”)
Let me reiterate, in consecutive order.>RP says he’s for “state’s rights” on abortion, yet as aronra pointed out, he’s lobbying and advocating _federal_ bans on abortion.>Racist newsletters, posing with Stormfront leader, Stormfront endorsement.>Against civil rights act.>Said what I summarized in an interview about sexual discrimination in the workforce.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fountainherz fountainherz

8 posts with nothing but red herrings and tu quoques. (“RP a racist? Well, well, look at Santorum, that guy is a racist!”)
Let me reiterate, in consecutive order.>RP says he’s for “state’s rights” on abortion, yet as aronra pointed out, he’s lobbying and advocating _federal_ bans on abortion.>Racist newsletters, posing with Stormfront leader, Stormfront endorsement.>Against civil rights act.
>Said what I summarized in an interview about sexual discrimination in the workforce.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fountainherz fountainherz

8 posts with nothing but red herrings and tu quoques. (“RP a racist? Well, well, look at Santorum, that guy is a racist!”)
Let me reiterate, in consecutive order.>RP says he’s for “state’s rights” on abortion, yet as aronra pointed out, he’s lobbying and advocating _federal_ bans on abortion.>Racist newsletters, posing with Stormfront leader, Stormfront endorsement.
>Against civil rights act.>Said what I summarized in an interview about sexual discrimination in the workforce.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fountainherz fountainherz

8 posts with nothing but red herrings and tu quoques. (“RP a racist? Well, well, look at Santorum, that guy is a racist!”)
Let me reiterate, in consecutive order.>RP says he’s for “state’s rights” on abortion, yet as aronra pointed out, he’s lobbying and advocating _federal_ bans on abortion.>Racist newsletters, posing with Stormfront leader, Stormfront endorsement.>Against civil rights act.>Said what I summarized in an interview about sexual discrimination in the workforce.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fountainherz fountainherz

8 posts with nothing but red herrings and tu quoques. (“RP a racist? Well, well, look at Santorum, that guy is a racist!”)
Let me reiterate, in consecutive order.
>RP says he’s for “state’s rights” on abortion, yet as aronra pointed out, he’s lobbying and advocating _federal_ bans on abortion.>Racist newsletters, posing with Stormfront leader, Stormfront endorsement.>Against civil rights act.>Said what I summarized in an interview about sexual discrimination in the workforce.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fountainherz fountainherz

8 posts with nothing but red herrings and tu quoques. (“RP a racist? Well, well, look at Santorum, that guy is a racist!”)
Let me reiterate, in consecutive order.>RP says he’s for “state’s rights” on abortion, yet as aronra pointed out, he’s lobbying and advocating _federal_ bans on abortion.
>Racist newsletters, posing with Stormfront leader, Stormfront endorsement.>Against civil rights act.>Said what I summarized in an interview about sexual discrimination in the workforce.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=jgunner280 jgunner280

True, but to moderate all of your comments are a bit silly. Everybody is going to have trolls, lets us ignore them and hear the honest comments. Personally speaking, I can’t respect the fact that someone who is discussing ideas would ever moderate a comment, as its showing you only what they want to hear/see. However, it could be their campaign advisers and such doing these kinds of things. I seriously doubt Obama/Romney spend all day reading and flagging youtube comments.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

conception* not contraception.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Robdee999 Robdee999

I agree with you but Obama is a faggot fuck fuck shit shit bitch

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

8(cont)It amazes me that people like you keep wondering why the economy keeps getting worse and worse, along with our debt, and they keep voting in the same, ‘polished’ candidates that make wild claims as to how they’re going to improve America. You must’ve missed out on your math classes, because you sure aren’t putting two and two together here. Take a good look at North Korea kiddie, because America is going there fast, unless someone like RP gets voted in, for once. Enjoy reading the truth.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

7(cont)Did you even learn how to use the internet before you applied for your position at “Oblivious Inc.”? Once again just another big ball of dung that Fox News has spun up so that they can get their pay checks from big brother. Now please, return back to your government controlled news networks, and continue to stand idly by as our government pushes us further back into the 1900s.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

6(cont)Why? Because they’d lose an immense amount of business, whether it was from those who were specifically being discriminated against or not. Use your common sense here. Businesses can still be barred, whether by a committee throwing a book filled with regulations at them, or by their consumers/customers/stockholders that no longer see the business fit to be run. Simple as that. Sexism? Wow, now you’ve just hit rock bottom here.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

5(cont)He saw segregation first hand, and did his best to fight it without absolutely destroying himself. Next you’re going to bring up those supposed “letters” he “wrote” which contained racism. What a joke. Mkay.. next? Oh man, these last two are just plain cute. You’ve got to be trolling. Consumers, whether you like it or not, will always rule the businesses. RP has stated plenty of times that if a business wants to discriminate, let them.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

4(cont)Hrm, couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that the internet is the one thing that our govt. has yet to control, now could it? Let’s just absolutely forget about the failed attempt that SOPA/PIPA was (….under Obama I might add…). RP is far from racist. Stop watching fox news and open your eyes to see that he has fought for equality since the beginning. He’s no more racist than your grandpa is.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

3(cont)Racist? HAHA. That’s a laugh. If you want racism, try looking at Santorum. Seriously? Have you even watched anything about RP, or just bash him because you actually think that he’s so low in the polls because nobody is voting for him. News flash; internet supporters of RP outnumber other candidates supporters 10 to 1 (and that’s just an estimate, it could be more), yet in the polls he does poorly.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

2(cont)But as it being a personal choice, that other’s may/or may not support, taxes do not and will not cover personal, and/or controversial subjects. Hopefully this will be a universal (so to speak) rule in time. It has absolutely nothing to do with women’s reproductive rights. He’s not banning abortion. He understands it’s necessity, however he takes the position that life begins at contraception (and at a scientific, technical level, it actually does — sapience, however, does not).

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LanceArmington LanceArmington

Sigh, how unfortunate it is that nimrods like you have no idea how to properly use the internet. Here, let me do your homework for you, kiddie. RP is pro-life. Not against women’s reproductive “rights”. You can reproduce all you want, and abort your tadpole like humans too. He just doesn’t want tax payer’s money to pay for abortions. Simple as that. Abortion is a personal choice, and he understands that others may support it; he’s a doctor, after all.

11:52 am: "Yes I know brother that he ran as a republican, it is sad enought that he not can run as an LIBERTARIAN. I truly hope he’s gonna run again. We can only support him..." - knowitall

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Enter your email address in the box below and click "Subscribe!"

Links

Disclaimer

RonPaul.com is maintained by independent grassroots supporters of Ron Paul. Neither this website nor the articles, posts, videos or photos appearing on it are paid for, approved, endorsed or reviewed by Ron Paul or his staff.

Support RonPaul.com

All donations go towards maintaining and expanding the RonPaul.com fansite.